Winter CSA Week 6

Ponderings for the Fall/Winter CSA for 2017/18

We have been thinking quite a bit about the fall and winter csa offering for 2017/18. And as we are guided by the essence of the surrounding quotes, we forsee one of the changes to the farm being that we focus on the use of our licensed kitchen. For us, that means creating more ready-to-use foods out of the produce that we grow and utilizing other local foods that may otherwise be thrown away.

Our farm’s philosophy has been to be diversified and use what we grow to the fullest while trying to create mutually beneficial systems between animals, plants, and the farm enterprises. Our family trys to eat a diet focused upon seasonal year round local foods and foods preserved in order to enhance the variety and nutrition throughout the year. We extended our tradition of eating to our CSA members through the fall and winter CSA offerings. However, as my own health and well being has been forced into focus the last couple years, I am more aware of the ease of saying “yes” and adding more enterprises onto an already full plate. Doing more is easy…I did more because I could and I personally enjoy a challenge. It is much more difficult to be selective, say “no”, and do the things that make the most sense for your goals and sense of balance. So as we evolve, so does the farm.

We are considering a “buy-down” or “credit account” CSA program for the fall/winter of 2017/18. Curious? Here are some of the highlights to help understand how this type of CSA would work.

Order items that you like and use instead of getting a predetermined box.

Your credit can be used to purchase any items that we sell.

Choose the amount of credit you’d like on your account at the beginning of the season.

Purchase items from the fall/winter farmers market stand or at the farm using your credit.

You receive a 10% discount when you pay. If you pay $225, you’ll receive $250 in credit. If you pay $450, you’ll receive $500 in credit. Pay $900 and receive $1000 in credit.

Be invited to special farm events.

Try new products and have your input be heard.

Ordering may happen ahead of time online to guarantee your items are available and boxed, ready to be picked up or delivered.

Flexibility on how and when you order a box. Out of town for a month? Simply skip town and resume when you are back home. Need extra food for a holiday or special event? Order it when you want it.

Enjoy more of our ready-to-eat foods that come frozen to help you eat wholesome foods even with your busy schedules.

Keep connected with your local farmer and continue to know where your food comes from.

Keep your dollars circulating within our local community.

Enjoy knowing the inside scoop on farm happenings.

Have a place to share with others and your family where you can see your food growing during the season.

Fresh and Value-Added Items:

Carrots 2#

Mixed Potatoes 2#

Parsnips 1#

Detroit Beets 1#

Onions 1.5#

Winter Spinach 7oz

Eggs-1 dozen

Kraut 1 pint

Raspberry Jam 1 pint

Frozen Items:

Vegetable Stock 1 Qt

2 Quarts of soup: Choice Farmer’s , or your customized items

Snow Peas 1 quart

Broccoli 1 quart

Rhubarb 1 quart

Winter Squash or Pumpkin Puree

Dried Tomatoes

Thank you for inviting us to share a place at your table for another fall/winter CSA season. It means the world to me to know that we provide so many people and families with good healthy food. Without good food, life is so much less colorful.

If you have questions or suggestions regarding the proposed “buy-down” CSA program that we highlighted above for this next season, please email me. Note that not all items that we have previously offered will be available in the future. We will not be growing some crops that are difficult for us, do not store well, or are not sought after regularly by our members. We will continue to broaden our prepared items which adds to the home cooks convenience.